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"Although Calvin insisted with the rest that Servetus must die, he urged that in mercy Servetus be executed by the sword, not by burning, but the Council rejected the suggestion"
Michael Servetus Burned for Heresy
yeah, I saw that, written by someone who is trying to justify what the Bible does not, and argues from a biased perspective.
"Although Calvin insisted with the rest that Servetus must die, he urged that in mercy Servetus be executed by the sword, not by burning, but the Council rejected the suggestion"
Michael Servetus Burned for Heresy
It is hard to believe all this happened, but it was different times. Today, we would agree the Bible does not justify this, but God did show his wrath. If we had Servetus on this forum, then he would be raked over the coals. While it is a sad part of history on the part of all Christians, there is a reason why Servetus was sought out based on what the Bible says. Could he have gotten a less severe punishment for those times? What would that be?
the Bible clearly teaches us to "LOVE our enemies" (Matthew 5:44) and to "BLESS those that persecute you" (Romans 12:14), and "BLESS those who curse you, PRAY for those who abuse you" (Luke 6:28). When His Disciples asked Jesus to call fire from heaven to destroy His opponents, Jesus replied, "But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of" (Luke 9:55)
So you would have stood up for Servetus like that at his trial? The Bible teaches us about the Trinity. The latter was what was in question. Calvin wasn't the one responsible. Servetus was.
Calvin Murder
It's not very meaningful either to sit here in 21st century North America and pontificate about what historical personalities - focusing uniquely on them and not on their times also - 'should have done'.
I think it is a mistake to judge persons in history according to our standards. Let me be clear, I do not approve of the state prosecuting anyone for heresy. However, capital punishment for heresy was the norm in this time period in both protestant and catholic lands. The idea there would be the sort of religious liberty or freedom of belief is a long way off and really doesn't start to take hold until after the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 which ended the Thirty Years War. Servetus was also an obnoxious boar of a man who didn't help his case by showing up not only in Geneva but attended a sermon given by Calvin himself.
Calvin prosecuted the case. He made the arguments to the court that resulted in Servetus' conviction.
"If Calvin had the authority, Servetus would have been beheaded, rather than burned"
It is time that the Calvinists stopped making excuses for this despicable act of John Calvin, and admit that his judgement and heart in this matter is NOT Christ-like in any way, and distance themselves from this event. So, you suppose MURDER by beheading is acceptable to the Lord, but by burning is not? "Thou sall NOT MURDER" is a Command for ANY form of this high crime. Also, stop trying to justify this by Calvin by using other examples from history. It does NOT work with the Lord.
Romans 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval.
We're the Germans under the Nazis so subject to their leadership ... or should they have been committed to obey God rather than men, as did the apostles ?
As our president loves to say so much:John Wycliffe translated the Bible into English. The Pope opposed him and him arrested. The Roman Catholics used a Latin Bible and were opposed to common people being able to read the scriptures for fear they might misinterpret them. There was nothing to stop the Roman Catholics from misinterpreting scripture as they killed thousands of people who objected to their claim to be the only acceptable authority on the scriptures.
Servetus received the sentence of a false prophet.
John Wycliffe translated the Bible into English. The Pope opposed him and him arrested. The Roman Catholics used a Latin Bible and were opposed to common people being able to read the scriptures for fear they might misinterpret them. There was nothing to stop the Roman Catholics from misinterpreting scripture as they killed thousands of people who objected to their claim to be the only acceptable authority on the scriptures.
Are the catholics guilty of any such crimes?You mean Jesus appointed authority when he gave the apostolic successors and Peter alone the power to "bind and loose" which in first century speak means rule with authority on doctrine - which is why the "foundation of truth is the church" and you are told to stay true to "tradition we taught you" which as Iraneus points out is the teaching of succession bishops who follow the chuch at Rome on doctrine.
But what has that to do with the thread?
The point I made was that Calvins shocking act needs to be viewed in the context of the time. Tyndale got himself executed by speaking out against Henry 8th morality in his book. A dreadful sign of the times., of which Calvins act was no worse (or better) than similar acts
It could never end well - accusing someone who routinely butchered his opponents - including the english martyr catholics. It was a dreadfi; sign of the times.
And it reflects badly on all involved - the tens of thousands of catholics murdered in england and ireland similar- even worse were the catholic purges in france which led to the building of the sacre couer in reparation. Protestants have a "convenient" memory when it comes to how brutal they were.
Are the catholics guilty of any such crimes?
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